Anyone in Santa Cruz de Tenerife over the next few days will have a rare opportunity to see one of the world’s most famous sailing ships up close. The Amerigo Vespucci, the legendary training ship of the Italian Navy, is moored in the port of Santa Cruz and is temporarily opening its doors to the public free of charge.
The most beautiful ship in the world
The ship is often described as “the most beautiful ship in the world”. This nickname is not just a modern tourist slogan, but has been part of the vessel’s international reputation for decades.
According to tradition, the name originated during an encounter at sea with an American aircraft carrier. When the American crew asked which ship they had in sight, the Italian crew replied that it was the Amerigo Vespucci of the Italian Navy. The response reportedly came back over the radio: “You are the most beautiful ship in the world.”
The Amerigo Vespucci is remarkable not only for its appearance, but also for its age and function. The ship was built in Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples, and officially entered service as a training ship in 1931. This means the vessel is approaching its 95th anniversary.
To this day, it is used to train cadets from the Italian Naval Academy. At the same time, the ship serves as a floating ambassador for Italy, promoting maritime tradition, culture, diplomacy and international cooperation.
Free visit
For Tenerife, this visit is notable because the island is the final stop before the Amerigo Vespucci crosses the Atlantic Ocean towards Canada and the United States. This makes its presence in Santa Cruz especially significant. The ship is located in the Dársena de Los Llanos, in the port of the capital.
Visitors do not need to book in advance. Admission is free, although access depends on capacity at the time. Those who go on board will not only be able to view the historic ship, but also receive explanations from crew members about its history and daily life on board.
According to the published schedule, the ship can be visited on 23 May from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., on 24 May from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and on 25 May from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Last entry is expected to be around half an hour before closing.
Maritime history
For residents and visitors to Tenerife, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover something different from beaches, hiking routes or markets. The Amerigo Vespucci is a living piece of maritime history: a large sailing ship built almost a century ago that is still actively travelling around the world.
Anyone interested in shipping, history, photography or unusual outings would do well not to miss this brief visit to Santa Cruz. Ships like this do not often come to Tenerife, especially not with free public access.
Photo: AI ChatGPT
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